MEDizzy - A 23-year-old woman, pregnant for the first time, is 39

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The Female Reproductive System II

A 23-year-old woman, pregnant for the first time, is 39 weeks gestation. She is admitted to the labor room with contractions every five minutes lasting 45 seconds. On vaginal exam, she is noted to be completely effaced and 5-cm dilated. Station is 0. She asks the nurse for pain medication. What is the best response for the nurse to make?

ExplanationAnalgesia can usually be safely given after 5 cm of dilation and until one to two hours before delivery. Answer 2 is not appropriate because according to the data given, the mother is a good candidate for some type of analgesia. Answer 3 is not true. Pain medication too early may slow labor, and pain medication too late may depress the baby’s respirations and heartbeat. Pain medication given appropriately is often very helpful during labor. Answer 4 is not appropriate. It does not address the question that the client asked about pain medication.